Don’t let the Port of Dover stifle our local economy

Dover suffers traffic gridlock on a weekly basis.  Residents sit in traffic for hours trying to get home. Local businesses lose trade because no-one can reach their premises. Emergency vehicles can’t get to those who need them. And large parts of the roadside on the A20 have become dumping grounds for litter (and worse) left by HGV drivers stuck in tailbacks.

Why? Because the economic recovery is seeing a sharp growth in trade while investment at the port has failed to keep up. There are not enough spaces for lorries to park. Ferry check in systems are antiquated. The seas can be rough, or Calais on strike. Meanwhile ferries may be out of commission - having been run aground or into the harbour wall by their masters.

When there are problems at the port, it is the town that pays the price.  This must change. That’s why I called a debate on transport management in Kent. There now needs to be a lasting solution - the port, ferry companies and Department for Transport need to take responsibility and do their bit.

A key problem is that high volumes of Port traffic just plough into the middle of Dover, whether the Port is ready to take them or not. The Police, Port and the Highways Agency are too slow and ill-equipped to tackle problems when they arise.

Lorry tailbacks will get worse as our economy recovers. Freight through the Port has, at 10% growth, grown faster than the economy and is at record levels. It needs long-term solutions now to deal with this long-term structural problem.

So what should be done?

Firstly, traffic problems in Kent and Dover need to be made a national strategic priority. Tailbacks not only make life a misery - they are a log-jam for national trade and prosperity. The Government should lead the way in finding a long-term infrastructure solution.

Secondly, there should be a dedicated lorry park for the check-in of lorries before they arrive at Dover Port. The best location for a 1,000 space site is near the ‘Stop 24’ service station on the M20. I am requesting Government funding for this through revenue from the HGV Road User Levy. The port and ferry companies should do their bit to pay for it as well.

Third, there should be a clearway along the A20 as well as box junctions on all roundabouts and road junctions in Dover. This will ensure no parking/stopping is allowed, which will ease problems on the M20 and routes through Dover.

Finally, I will be requesting a progress update on the Government’s review of long-term solutions to traffic problems in Dover and Kent. These problems will only become more acute in Dover in the coming years and months. This can’t wait.

The Port of Dover benefits Dover's economy and provides thousands of jobs. Yet it mustn’t stifle other parts of our local economy or prevent people going about Dover.  This is why reform is needed, Ministers need to make the problem a strategic national priority and delay no further.